"RIO RITA."

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19669, 12 July 1929, Page 15

"RIO RITA."

BIG FULLER SUCCESS. Greasers and gringoes. and the elasfe at Americans and Mexicans wers found to provide something really colourful for the latest in musical revue that has corns to Christehureh —hence "Bio Rita," which was introduced to a large and happy audience is the Opera House on Monday evening. From all accounts Americans and Mexicans are not over-full of the milk of human kndness towards each other, and this is apt to res-alt in fearful ;oings-on in the region of the Bio Orande. The romantic nature of the locality and the people—according to certain novels and moton pictures—-is capable of supplying a wealth of colour, and this, combined with a main shaft in the machinery of the plot in the shape of Rita, the passionate beauty, makes the musical comedy eminently acceptable in all its many departments. Tha play had a great run in Australia, end it ap. pears that here also it will be a theatrical landmark, to be remembered for some time after its departure in search of further vie* tories. To be successful musical comedy must contain goodly quantities of music, dancing, real comedy, some sentiment, spectacular frocking and mounting, and a theme-song that will capture the favour of the younger generation, "Rio Rita" ha* all these in just the right amounts and the theme-song itself is particularly well known. In fact, it "cams out" a considerabls time ago. Of ballets, "Rio Rita" has a vast number, and every one is excellent. Particularly notable were an Aztec parade and a moonlight ballet in which the spectacular element was achieved by brilliant costumes contrasted with a dim stage. All the costumes —and they did not err on the side of were novel, colourful, and dazzling in their smartness. Of the settings, the last, for the triple wedding, with new lighting effects, stood out as the most striking of a stirring series. The music of the play is enchanting, and the outstanding numbers were the "River Song," "Bio Rita," and "If You're in♦ Lore You'll Waltz." Headed by Mr Pearce, the male chorus of Rangers provided another number that raised the house to strong enthusiasm.